Indiangrass (Sorghastrum Nutans)

Indiangrass is a warm season bunchgrass, native to most of the United States.   It spreads by seed and scaly underground rhizomes. This perennial produces a tall robust, vigorous plant, 3 to 8 feet tall, with wide bluegreen leaves and panicles 8 to 12 inches long that are bronze in color.  

Indiangrass is both cold and drought resistant.  Because of its high palatability, good grazing management is necessary.  Limit grazing until a good stand of plants 10 to 12 inches tall are established.  Excellent hay may be cut when the seed heads are in the boot stage.   

Normally it is not found as a dominant species but is considered a valuable grass in blends and should be used in reseeding on range sites.  The seed are chaffy and a special chaffy grass drill  is needed for planting. Planting depth should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch, using 4 1/2 to 5 pure live seed pounds per acre. 

Generally, spring is the best time of the year to plant.  Indiangrass can bev found on prairies, bottom lands and in all soil textures throughout the eastern half of the United States, as well as the desert southwest.  There are several varieties but the more popular varieties are "Cheyenne", "Lometa", "Osage", "Rumsey" and "Oto".